Shallow Water Diving - The NASA Experience

Abstract

This slide presentation reviews some of the problems and solutions that personnel have experienced during sessions in the Neutral Bu0yancy Lab (NBL). It reviews the standard dive that occurs at the NBL, Boyles and Henry's laws as they relate to the effects of diving. It then reviews in depth some of the major adverse physiologic events that happen during a diving session: Ear and Sinus Barotrauma, Decompression Sickness, (DCS), Pulmonary Barotrauma (i.e., Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE). Mediastinal Emphysema, Subcutaneous Emphysema, and Pneumothorax) Oxygen Toxicity and Hypothermia. It includes information about the pulmonary function in NBL divers. Also included is recommendations about flying after diving.